Jan 23, 2004 08:50 pm This is a quote from the article
"Zero-latency hardware monitoring is available for audio recording, though this doesn't work with virtual instruments for obvious reasons"
What are virtual instruments?
Emagic A6/2 m
Posted on Jan 23, 2004 08:34 pm
haitian boy
Member Since: Jan 20, 2004
Hey all. I found more information on the Emagic A6/2 m. Check out the link and tell me what you think.
www.soundonsound.com/sos/...02bdb9b85c70bf8
Couple of questions, be aware for I am fairly new to all of this.
-6 inputs but they are phono. What is phono? Shouldn't it be 1/4in or XLR?
-Explain what sample rates are. What is a standard sample rate.
-The person who tested the interface successfully recorded with 6 inputs at the same time at a rate of 16-bit, 44.1kHz (Is that good?)
I'm temted to buy it, but I want to know what u think.
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Jan 23, 2004 08:50 pm This is a quote from the article
"Zero-latency hardware monitoring is available for audio recording, though this doesn't work with virtual instruments for obvious reasons"
What are virtual instruments?
Jan 23, 2004 09:02 pm software samplers, synthesizers, etc. you can't have zero-latency monitoring with anything comging *from* your computer, because your computer has to momentarily buffer the sound before it can be output. this is normal.
samplerate is how often the audio is sampled. think of this as how often a "snapshot" of the amplitude is taken. the higher the samplerate, then more accurate the big picture, and naturally the more diskspace it will take up.
bit rate is how accurate each little snapshot is. the higher the bit rate the more dynamic range (headroom, loudness) you have, and likewise, the more diskspace it will take up.
standard CD quality audio is a 16bit 44.1kHz stereo format. that means that 44,100 times a second, a 16 bit sample is taken. then times that by two because it's stereo. 6 simultaneous tracks at CD quality is not bad.
keep researching. dont' buy anything until you understand which specs are important. and keep asking questions ;O) -j
Jan 23, 2004 09:18 pm Thanks for the info, it makes sence now. So this interface can record 6 tracks at the same time at a standard sample rate. So far, so good.
But what about the inputs, they are phono. What is that? Shouldn't it be 1/4in or XLR.
Jan 23, 2004 09:52 pm i better let someone else answer that. i'm not sure if you'll simply need to make or buy some special cables or adapters, or if you'll run into some actual compatibility issues...
Jan 23, 2004 11:45 pm I think they are refering to the inputs being RCA plug style inputs which were commonly refered to as phono plugs. They don't actually list the spec's but I'd imagine they are line level ( -10dB)
Dan
Jan 24, 2004 10:30 am Thanks Dan. Again, I am new at this stuff.
-Is RCA acceptable? Is -10dB a good thing?
-With these connections will I be able to use a standard mixer with the interface?
Jan 24, 2004 10:36 am i *believe* you can... i mix and match comsumer line level with +4dB line level all the time, but i'ts very important to note, like olddog said, that one's much quieter than the other.
when sending a consumer line level to a pro line level device the signal will be quiet, lacking dynamics, but therefor having tons of headroom. easy solution, just bump up the gains, it's adds some noise (SNR stays the same) so it's not the best solution i'm afraid.
on the other hard sending a hot +4dB signal from say a mixer into consumer inputs will almost surely clip and cause nasty distortion because the signal is way too loud. this isn't a hard fix either, just turn down the gains on the device doing the sending.
RCA will require that you buy special cable and/or adapters. not hard since alot of old tape machines and DATs used RCAs.
but then again maybe the RCA's on that thing *do* accept +4dB ... i rally can't say. again i better let someone else handle this ;O) -j
Jan 24, 2004 11:15 am As Jamie said they may be switchable in the software that comes with the card between -10 and +4. At any rate most mixers have inputs for both, as well as line level outputs as well so that shouldn't really be a problem.
the review is pretty favorable but I would also check out offerings from other manufacturers as well as visiting the web site of Emagic and get the full spec's on the unit before shelling out the money. :)
Dan
Jan 24, 2004 02:08 pm Man. this forum is great. thanks for all of the info. here are the connection specs from the website:
2 analog outputs with 24 Bit converters
6 analog inputs with 24 Bit converters
Compatible with -10 dBV and +4 dBu audio levels
Coaxial S/PDIF digital stereo input and output
MIDI I/O via the S/PDIF connectors (coaxial to MIDI adapters included)
USB hub with 2 USB ports
Adjustable stereo headphone output
Dan. i've looked at other options. i cannot find any other interface in the same price range that has 6 inputs. for this price it is more like 2 inputs.
i don't know guys. it seems that everything is checking out. this might be MY interface. it's going for 300 new. folks are selling it on ebay for 150.
what do ya think
Jan 24, 2004 02:19 pm well there you go, it's can accept +4dB lines, and digital too, that might come in handy. plus it doubles at a 2 port USB hub.
$150 sounds like a good price for 6 inputs. only problem with getting it off eBay is youre stuck with it. very few sellers accept returns.
have you tried to google for reviews of it? find out about what the owners are sayig about it.
Jan 24, 2004 02:29 pm that's a good idea. is there a specific way to find these reviews
Jan 24, 2004 03:55 pm nope
just goto google.com and try to search on strings like "review A6/2" or "A6/2 laptop" until you find what your looking for.
search engines are "smart" these days, but it's still lots of trial and error
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